President Donald Trump confirmed the military will construct a naval maintenance base in Cleveland. This federal project will bring defense jobs and naval work to Northeast Ohio.
White House press secretary Katie Zacharia held her first briefing on Tuesday morning. She announced the city as the location for the site.
The department of war will build the 46,000 square-foot facility, according to Zacharia. It will manufacture, repair and maintain parts for all new and existing submarines.
Trump originally spoke about the plan Monday night during his midterm rally in Youngstown. He credited Senator Jon Husted with securing the agreement.
At the rally, Trump called American vessels the “greatest submarines anywhere in the world.”
Husted said the facility will bring economic opportunities to the region. Trump signed a memorandum on August 13, according to a press release from Husted.
That order directed administration officials to select a location within 90 days. Plans remain early.
“Northeast Ohio has the skilled workforce, infrastructure and strategic location to support this critical mission for our U.S. Navy. This facility will strengthen our national security, support military readiness and create jobs in Cleveland.”
Husted stated he asked the administration to select the region. He pledged to pursue more defense projects for local workers.
City officials released a statement regarding the project. The City of Cleveland noted no specific details are available yet. The city stated it welcomes and supports the Navy’s development interest.
Federal defense bases handle manufacturing and technical upkeep for armed forces equipment. Presidential memorandums set instructions for executive agencies to carry out federal projects.
The administration has not released a construction timeline for the Cleveland project.
